This comparison covers Development Indicators — Comparing Four Countries within Development Gap and Global Development for GCSE Geography. Revise Development Gap and Global Development in The Changing Economic World for GCSE Geography with 17 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 4 of 14 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
⚖️ Development Indicators — Comparing Four Countries
| Indicator | Ethiopia (LIDC) | Nigeria (NEE) | Brazil (NEE) | UK (HIC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDI (2022) | 0.498 (low) | 0.539 (low-medium) | 0.760 (high) | 0.929 (very high) |
| GNI per capita (USD) | ~$1,000 | ~$2,000 | ~$14,000 | ~$46,000 |
| Life expectancy | 67 years | 54 years | 76 years | 81 years |
| Adult literacy rate | ~51% | ~62% | ~93% | ~99% |
| Infant mortality (per 1,000) | ~38 | ~55 | ~13 | ~4 |
| % below $3.20/day | ~68% | ~42% | ~9% | <1% |
| Development category | LIDC | NEE | NEE | HIC |
Note: LIDC = Low-Income Developing Country; NEE = Newly Emerging Economy; HIC = High-Income Country. Statistics are approximate and change year to year — use these as approximate anchors in your exam answers.
Quick Check: Explain why GNI per capita is an incomplete measure of development. Use an example in your answer.
GNI per capita is an average that hides inequality within a country. Nigeria's GNI per capita of approximately $2,000 suggests a moderate standard of living, but this figure masks extreme inequality: oil wealth is concentrated among a small elite while over 42% of Nigerians live below $3.20 per day. A country can have high average income and deep poverty at the same time. The HDI is more useful because it combines income with life expectancy and education into a single composite score — though even this does not fully capture inequality within countries or environmental sustainability.
Practice questions for Development Gap and Global Development
The Human Development Index (HDI) combines which three measures?
Define the Human Development Index (HDI) and state what it measures.